Cheney Family Continues to Support Manchester Community

Carol Cheney

MCC Foundation received generous gifts to establish the Cheney Family Endowed Scholarship Fund to support need-based scholarships for full- and part-time students enrolled in credit-bearing degree or certificate programs at Manchester Community College.

The gifts were made through a charitable fund established by descendants of the Cheney Brothers of Manchester, one of the largest and most successful silk manufacturing companies in the country for over a hundred years. The Cheney brothers were long recognized for their steadfast commitment to education, the arts, and community development.

The Cheney family of today continues this philanthropic legacy through their support of the MCC Foundation and other local causes. In recognition of the family’s visionary leadership, the Cheney Dining Room in the college’s Culinary Arts Center was named in honor of the family.

Carol Cheney, an 11th generation descendant, shared the origins of the family’s commitment to education: “My ancestors attracted promising immigrants from many foreign countries. All Cheney Brothers workers were taught English and, all workers’ children attended school paid for by the company. We knew that language and other educational opportunities provided would make for more productive and happier employees, a stronger sense of community, and this was good for everyone.”

“We are beyond grateful for the commitment of the Cheney family to uphold their family legacy of supporting education,” said Peter Grose, president of MCC Foundation. “This endowed scholarship fund continues the direct presence and impact of the Cheney family on our community for generations to come.”

Endowments are an important revenue source for community colleges. They provide a perpetual revenue stream in support of scholarships and academic programs. At MCC Foundation, an endowed fund can be established with a gift of $10,000 or more.